Economic Summit to assess business potential

The Sri Lanka Economic Summit to be held in Colombo from July 10 to 12 will examine the ground realities in doing business in the country at the sixth session titled “Ease of Doing Business- Sri Lanka ranked 89- Fact or fiction?” The event is organized by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce for the 13th consecutive year.

Sri Lanka’s rank in the World Bank Doing Business Report improved over the last two years. Out of 183 countries, Sri Lanka’s rank moved from 110 to 98 in 2011 and to 89 in 2012.

Out of 10 indicators used to measure ease of doing business, two indicators; that of protecting investors and trading across borders, have shown notable improvements.

The session will have senior government officials and private sector leaders who will update the audience on reforms in progress and discuss what other measures are required to further simplify the systems and processes to do business.

The main presentation will be conducted by C. J. P. Siriwardena, Assistant Governor of the Central Bank.

It will be followed by a panel discussion attended by Dr. Priyath Wickrama, Chairman, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Dr. Neville Gunawardene, Director General of Customs. Reshan Devapura, CEO, Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), Ajith Gunawardena, Deputy Chairman, John Keells Holdings PLC, Dinesh de Silva, Shipping Manager, Unilever Sri Lanka and Rajitha Kariyawasam, Managing Director, Haycarb Ltd.